As reports circulate that Marko Arnautovic could be leaving, West Ham United should look at Bournemouth’s Joshua King as a replacement.
Selling Arnautovic after last season’s heroics is either a very strange and daring move from West Ham United or a case of the player wanting something new – either way, he’ll need replacing.
His goals and drive up top were influential in West Ham’s successful attempt to fight off the threat of relegation and, with all of the new signings this summer, he would give the club some much-needed certainty while everyone settles.
But if he’s to leave, there are few better options available for West Ham than Bournemouth forward Josh King.
The Norwegian spoke out at the end of the season over his desire to move back into a striking role, rather than the attacking midfield role that Eddie Howe used him in last year.
“I’m not happy and my manager knows that,” he said at the end of May.
“I have talked to the boss and told him that I don’t like this role [behind the striker], but what is said between us stays in that room. It’s no secret that I don’t like it – I’m a striker and that’s where I’m at my best.”
And West Ham, already one of the most exciting projects in England, could offer him that – and that’s about as enticing a deal as it can be for King.
As for the Hammers, King, who scored 16 goals for Bournemouth as a striker and another nine from attacking midfield, would give them as close to a sure thing that they can get – something that all of their signings from abroad can’t offer.
His pace and physicality are an almost like-for-like replacement for Arnautovic and he’d be happy at the club – it seems like a match made in heaven.
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